Arknights: Reunion's Conqueror Of The North

Fly high, Freebird

Chapter 41:

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{This is it... The day they're finally getting off this godforsaken land of Sargon. After finishing some unfinished business in the jungles, as insisted by Nathan and Mostima, it's said by the pilots of their helicopter, Tommy and Tanner that the helicopter has been fuelled up, and is in the condition for a rushed take off}

However, since they can't risk breaking the helicopter apart to take it to their safe haven of an abandoned underground lab because the operators and the pilots don't know how to build it back up again, they have to leave it at the spot where they landed it.

It's fortunate no scavengers or prospectors came upon the aircraft and salvage it of its parts.

Unfortunately, at the same time it was said they can finally go home, the underground lab they were once situated in for months is primed and set to self-destruct because of a severe power shortage. The trams are guaranteed to fail due to low power, so instead of preparing themselves in the dormitory, Nathan and his operators are in the secret staff parking lot's entrance and exit.

Coincidentally, this secret parking lot is located close to where their helicopter did an emergency landing. It was mentioned by the last remaining scientist, Arlo Brikerton, that the clearing was once a plethora of helipads that's been consumed and reconstructed by nature. It also shouldn't come as a surprise that the secret parking lot was an emergency one, where personnel should go and board evacuation vehicles and be transported to the helipads.

Before he begins to brief his people about the plan to high-tail it back to their copter, he makes a headcount of his operators. To make sure not one of them is left behind in the ginormous underground lab.

The current numbers of the expedition group include Nathan himself, his best battle buddy Ace, the loyal eleventh-hour ranger Mostima, Kal'tsit's creepy adopted daughter Projekt Red, Hibiscus, Silence, Ifrit, Saria, Plume, and Feater.

Adnachiel came with them, but...he stayed in the jungles. Tommy and Tanner are said to be at the helicopter right now, waiting for them to come.

They only received one casualty in this entire operation, yet that loss was very tragic to Nathan. Still, even if he can't save one life, he can at least save everyone else involved.

After concluding the headcount, he stands before his team of operators, who are sat around the empty parking lot, using their bags as pillows. Feater leans smugly on a concrete beam as if they're not gonna do a suicidal charge towards their helicopter after this. Ace stands beside him, to give his nervous comrade support in such trying times. Mostima leaves her watch post to squeeze his shoulder, showing her support. The two smiled at each other before Mostima returns to guard duty with Red.

Nathan makes a quick but detailed speech of what they should do. Months of staying in the jungles made him jittery and paranoid; his halo's hue turn yellow, indicating anxiety, but this little stutter did not impede his speech. The operators glance up at him; they look disinterested, but that's because they're desensitized, or they want this operation to be done with.

Ifrit still has that renowned and energetic vigor in herself – ever this little pyromanic trooper.

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Nathan: "After many months of us staying in this godforsaken jungle, today is the day we finally leave all of this behind, and never look back. I'm all for not returning to this damned place; y'all with me?"

*The operators all nod. Feater, from the back, shouts, 'Fuck Sargon!' To which the operators yell in agreement. Nathan chuckles and continues.*